Comments (5)

By denying the Radcliffe Camera to students and other scholars who need and wanted to work there last night and now this morning, the protesters have demonstrated that their concerns are more to do with personal vanity, self-aggrandisement and having a laugh. A real appreciation of the current problems with education would have led to this sit-in being held elsewhere without disrupting the work of a major university learning resource.

Having been there yesterday I can state unequivocally that the protest spokesman is deluding himself if he truly thinks (as against what he would like you to think) that the 'locals' - whomever he may mean by that - have given this pointless gesture their overwhelming support. The vast majority of students who spoke to me (perhaps 90% of some 40 or so) were irritated that their work was disrupted, and those - possibly also in the majority - who supported the principle of the protest per se thought that forcibly entering a Library building was a bad move poorly thought through. Oxford deserves better. Perhaps that's one of the issues we should be addressing.

And, to be suitably pedantic (this is Oxford after all), there are half a dozen 'Radcliffe' buldings in the city - this one is known as the Camera.

By denying the Radcliffe Camera to students and other scholars who need and wanted to work there last night and now this morning, the protesters have demonstrated that their concerns are more to do with personal vanity, self-aggrandisement and having a laugh. A real appreciation of the current problems with education would have led to this sit-in being held elsewhere without disrupting the work of a major university learning resource.
Having been there yesterday I can state unequivocally that the protest spokesman is deluding himself if he truly thinks (as against what he would like you to think) that the 'locals' - whomever he may mean by that - have given this pointless gesture their overwhelming support. The vast majority of students who spoke to me (perhaps 90% of some 40 or so) were irritated that their work was disrupted, and those - possibly also in the majority - who supported the principle of the protest per se thought that forcibly entering a Library building was a bad move poorly thought through. Oxford deserves better. Perhaps that's one of the issues we should be addressing.
And, to be suitably pedantic (this is Oxford after all), there are half a dozen 'Radcliffe' buldings in the city - this one is known as the Camera.scholasticus

How to protest against university tuition fees - seize a university building and hold it for several hours.

What happens - the siege costs the university a bucketload of money (not least in overtime for the poor members of staff who had to stay there all night).

The result - the university gets a big hole in its budget and has to put tuition fees up.

Verdict - FAIL!!!!

How to protest against university tuition fees - seize a university building and hold it for several hours.
What happens - the siege costs the university a bucketload of money (not least in overtime for the poor members of staff who had to stay there all night).
The result - the university gets a big hole in its budget and has to put tuition fees up.
Verdict - FAIL!!!!Ms Fingerpaint

"In breaking news today Nick Clegg said that in view of the occupation of the Radcliffe Camera Oxford by 29 students, 6 girlfriends and 2 blokes they met in the pub, the Government has been forced to back down. 'We know the country cannot carry on if this building is occcupied. The elderly, the sick, the little kiddies, the little puppies and kittens, are too much at risk from this hideous threat. We must admit defeat.' He confirmed that the Government would introduce free ale and cakes for all students and a triumphal march through London for the Heroes of the Radcliffe Camera.

Actually I have a theory of my own. Hearing talk of 'Radcliffe' and 'Camera' a bunch of students somewhat unfamiliar with libraries assumed this was an outing to the new Harry Potter

Not...occupying the Radcliffe Camera! Nooo...how shall we cope?
"In breaking news today Nick Clegg said that in view of the occupation of the Radcliffe Camera Oxford by 29 students, 6 girlfriends and 2 blokes they met in the pub, the Government has been forced to back down. 'We know the country cannot carry on if this building is occcupied. The elderly, the sick, the little kiddies, the little puppies and kittens, are too much at risk from this hideous threat. We must admit defeat.' He confirmed that the Government would introduce free ale and cakes for all students and a triumphal march through London for the Heroes of the Radcliffe Camera.
Actually I have a theory of my own. Hearing talk of 'Radcliffe' and 'Camera' a bunch of students somewhat unfamiliar with libraries assumed this was an outing to the new Harry Potter
And now perhaps Mr Plodd would kindly smash their cute little empty little heads in?Sophia

For defenders of democracy, there truely is no sight more inspiring than that of seeing one's fellow armchair commentators hiding their political cowardice behind snide apathy towards those with the guts to actually put themselves on the line for their beliefs. Pat yourselves on the backs, comment posters and defenders of subservience, your work here is done.

For defenders of democracy, there truely is no sight more inspiring than that of seeing one's fellow armchair commentators hiding their political cowardice behind snide apathy towards those with the guts to actually put themselves on the line for their beliefs. Pat yourselves on the backs, comment posters and defenders of subservience, your work here is done.h&man